30 January 2017

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) changed their payment policy on 27 January 2017 by making all entry fees to all KWS Parks, Reserves and Sanctuaries in Kenya to be paid with Visa Card, MPesa (a popular mobile money service in Kenya), by direct bank deposit (Kenya Commercial Bank and Standard Chartered Bank only) or with corporate cheques. Payments in cash are not accepted anymore!

27 January 2017

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) just announced the resumption of passenger train operations in Zambiathat were suspended on 20 January 2017 following a work stoppage declared by unionized employees demanding the immediate adjustment of the salary dollar-exchange (parity) rate. The train operations will resume with immediate effect.The TAZARA Railway, operated by the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), is a railroad in East Africa linking the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania with the town of New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia's Central Province.

The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) kicked off a virtual roadtrip in December 2016, which will last about 10 month and will cover each of South Africa'sBlue Flag beaches, boats and marinas. During the #MyBlueFlagSummer Virtual Roadtrip for 2016/2017, WESSA will share interesting insights about the Blue Flag sites en route, with fun "virtual pocket guides", videos, photos and much more, to help us plan our year-round #BlueFlagSA summer! Enjoy!

26 January 2017

Braamfontein is currently one of the must-see places you shouldn't miss when visiting Johannesburg. The district, also known as Brammies, is home to loads of the city's most popular and hip theatres, clubs, restaurants, coffee shops, museums and, of course, art galleries. Braamies [braamies.co.za], an online portal focussed on Braamfontein[also see: Johannesburg: The coffee spots of Braamfontein!], recently produced a video portraying the vibrant and thriving art scene in Braamfontein. Kudos Brammies; enjoy the video!

25 January 2017

Hostelworld.com, the world's leading hostel-focused online booking platform, has announced the winners of the 2017 HOSCARS (Hostelworld.com
Customer Annual Ratings). Now in their 15th year, the HOSCARS are known
to be the world's most prestigious hostel awards, recognizing the top
hostels around the globe as voted for by the Hostelworld.com users. Congrats!

Hoscars 2017 - Best Hostels by Continent - Africa[The top three hostels in Africa, based on your reviews in 2016.]

24 January 2017

Due to the widening of the Great Fish River Bridge in the Eastern Cape, travellers are advised not to use the N2 between Grahamstown and Peddie, but the alternative route of the R72 via Port Alfred. The N2 will be closed for long periods from today (24 January 2017) until 27 January 2017. The road will be open to two-way traffic between sunset and sunrise daily.

23 January 2017

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) just informed us that all passenger train operations in Zambia have been suspended until further notice. The move has been necessitated by an illegal work stoppage, which has been declared by unionized employees who are demanding for the immediate adjustment of the salary dollar-exchange (parity) rate.The strike and the suspension of operations is on the Zambian side only and does not affect TAZARA's operations in Tanzaniawhere passenger trains are running normally between Dar es Salaam and Mbeya.

Discover Cape Town & Western Cape (Discoverctwc), which forms part of Wesgro, the official Tourism, Trade & Investment Promotion Agency for Cape Town & Western Cape, has released a new promotional video showcasing the beauty and diversity of Cape Town and the Western Cape! Enjoy!

20 January 2017

The flag carrier airline of Rwanda, Rwandair, is set to introduce direct flights between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai, India, on 17 April 2017. The airline will operate flights from Kigalito Mumbai every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and from Mumbaito Kigalievery Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

19 January 2017

update (30 Jan 2017): Kenyan authorities have withdrawn their approval for Emirates to operate a third daily flight from Dubaito Nairobi. According to the airline, no reason was given for the withdrawal.

The largest international airline in the world, Dubai-based Emirates, is set to introduce a third daily flight between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi from 01 June 2017. The additional flight will increase the number of scheduled Emirates flights between the two cities to 21 a week. As with its other two daily flights to Nairobi, Emirates will also operate its popular Boeing 777-300ER in a three class configuration. The aircraft will have eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business Class and 304 spacious seats in Economy Class.

The flag carrier airline of Tanzania, Air Tanzania, has introduced scheduled flights between Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma Airport (DOD) in Dodoma. The airline will operate two weekly flights using one of its new Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 carriers in an all economy 78 seat configuration. Air Tanzania's new service then continues to Kigoma Airport (TKQ) in Kigoma in western Tanzania.

According to tourism specialists eTNW, Fastjet has suspended its flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam as well as its flights between Johannesburgand Zanzibar'sAbeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ). The airline did not provide details as to if and when the flights will be re-introduced to its network.

17 January 2017

Proflight Zambia, the operator of the largest fleet of aircraft in Zambia, launched a new direct service between Ndolaand Kasama today (17 January 2017). The new direct flight avoids travellers have to stay overnight in Lusakawhen flying between the two locations. Instead, the airline has introduced a four-times-a-week circuit on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, alternating between Lusaka> Ndola> Kasama > Lusakaand Lusaka> Kasama > Ndola> Lusaka. The direct flight will depart Ndolaat 12:45 on Tuesdays and Fridays, arriving in Kasama at 14:25. The flight will depart Kasama on Mondays and Thursdays at 10:35, arriving in Ndolaat 12:15.

Ndolais the third largest city in Zambia and the industrial and commercial center of the Copperbelt, the country's copper-mining region. Kasama is the capital of the Northern Province of Zambia, situated on the central-southern African plateau at an elevation of about 1400 m.

British airline Thomas Cook Airlines plans to introduce nonstop flights between Manchester Airport (MAN) in Manchester and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town in early 2018. The airline is set to operate a bi-weekly service on Wednesdays from Manchester and on Thursdays from Cape Town on board an Airbus A330-200.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has released an update on the road conditions (as of 16 Jan 2016) in Kruger National Park's northern Nxanasteni region, which is currently experiencing heavy rains.

"The Love Cape Town Neighbourhood series" was launched by Cape Town Tourism in 2015to promote and highlight Cape Town's diverse suburbs. The first three episodes were released in September 2015, another three in March 2016 and the seventh episode on 15 January 2017.

Repairs to the St Lucia and the Eastern Shores surfaced roads are done under traffic control from since 11 January 2017

Since 13 January 2017, vehicular access will be restricted to iSimangaliso's Estuary Beach car park due to the number of heavy vehicles and plant using it. A control boom has been erected south of Ingwe Beach and only contractor vehicles, vehicles towing boats, and persons with permits from DEA Oceans and Coasts in respect of access for disabled permits, will be granted access. The access rules and protocols will be the same as those for Bhangazi Gate. Boat users must complete the launch site register on entry and exit at the boom. All other beach users should make use of the upgraded parking and turning circle at Ingwe Beach.

uMkhuze

eMshophi Gate: Construction of the new eMshophi Gate House has commenced. The new gate house is situated approximately 1km before the existing boom gate into iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Traffic control in the form of stop and go's as well as diversions around the construction works are in place.

12 January 2017

The flag carrier airline of Rwanda, Rwandair, is set to introduce direct flights between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Harare International Airport (HRE) in Harare in April 2017. According to a tweet by the airline, the exact launch date (as well as frequencies etc.?) will be communicated very soon. We'll keep you posted!

11 January 2017

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has published the on-time performance results of domestic airlines’ flying out of OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Durban's King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in December 2016.On-Time Performance is measured by comparing the actual off-block time (when aircraft pushes back) against the airline schedule time for a departing flight. The measurement is done in accordance with the IATA (International Airlines Transport Association) universal standard benchmark with considers a 15 minute deviation from the scheduled time as an on-time departure.

The Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is home to the majestic Jonkershoek Mountains and parts of the Jonkershoek valley. The reserve, which includes the smaller Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve, lies near the town of Stellenbosch in the south-western Cape. Visitors may choose to explore one or both reserves, as they are in easy reach of each other. The reserves are about 9km from Stellenbosch, on the Jonkershoek valley road.

The famous Devil's Pool, a rock pool right on the very edge of the mighty Victoria Falls on Livingstone Island (Livingstone side of the Falls in Zambia) has closed with immediate effect due to the high water levels. Also known as the "Armchair" or simply the "ultimate infinity pool", the pool is only accessible during the drier month of the year when the Zambezi River drops quite substantially (low water season). This usually takes place from mid-August to mid-January. Tours are/will be available.

09 January 2017

The well-known Letaba Elephant Hall (Letaba Gold Fields Environmental Education Centre,) at Kruger National Park'sLetaba Rest Camp will be temporarily closed on 12 January 2017 due to the installation of new information panels and maintenance upgrade. The facility will reopen on 21 March 2017.The Letaba Elephant Hall boast an impressive information display on elephants and holds the ivory of the most famed Magnificent 7 and several other large tuskers roamed the Kruger National Park. Also part of this display is a full skeleton of an African elephant as well as other unique tusk and skeleton displays.

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town was South Africa's most punctual airport in 2016. According to the "Punctuality League 2016" by the travel analysts OAG from the UK, 86.06% of the flights arriving or departing at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) did so within 15 minutes of their scheduled time (6th on OAG's global medium airport punctuality list). Durban'sKing Shaka International Airport (DBN) came in second with 86.03% of all flights being on time (10th on OAG's global small airport punctuality list). Africa's busiest airport, OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, follows Cape Town and Durbanwith a 84.32% of all flights arriving or departing within 15 minutes of their scheduled time (8th on OAG's global large airport punctuality list).